India launches Scorpene-class sub

The Indian Navy's future Karanj, the third Project 75 Scorpene-class submarine, has been launched, Naval Group announced on 1 February.

The Scorpene-class submarines are being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) under a technology transfer partnership with Naval Group.

The MDL team will now undertake the completion setting-to work before Karanj sets sail for sea trials.

Karanj, a 2000 tonne conventional-propulsion submarine, has been designed and developed for missions including surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations and intelligence gathering.

The submarine has a level of operating automation that enables a limited number of crew to be onboard. It has six weapon launching tubes and 18 weapons, including torpedoes, missiles, and mines.

The second of class, Khanderi, is already undergoing sea trials and will be commissioned in coming months.